Triesteis a city and seaport in northeasternItaly. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of Italian territory lying between theAdriatic SeaandSlovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city. It is also located nearCroatiasome further 30 kilometres (19mi) south. Trieste is located at the head of theGulf of Triesteand throughout history it has been influenced by its location at the crossroads ofLatin,Slavic, andGermaniccultures.
Trieste was one of the oldest parts of theHabsburg Monarchy. In the 19th century, it was the most important port of one of theGreat Powersof Europe. As a prosperous seaport in theMediterraneanregion, Trieste became the fourth largest city of theAustro-Hungarian Empire(afterVienna,Budapest, andPrague). In thefin-de-siècleperiod, it emerged as an important hub forliteratureandmusic. It underwent an economic revival during the 1930s, and Trieste was an important spot in the struggle between the Eastern and Western blocs after the Second World War. Today, the city is in one of the richestregions of Italy, and has been a great centre for shipping, through its port (Port of Trieste),shipbuildingand financial services.